One could call the People’s Community Co-op a true Seattle institution. PCC is the city’s natural, organic food co-op. I think of it as a lot like Whole Foods and a lot different. Being local, it is, you could say, “very Seattle.” By that I mean community values, green values, a laid back humorous vibe and delicious ripe fresh flavor. There are nine locations around the Seattle Metro area, this one in Green Lake being my favorite. It’s near enough to Queen Anne, Ballard, and Wallingford and Fremont, as well as Green Lake. There are also stores in Edmonds, Fremont, Issaquah, Kirkland, Redmond, Seward Park, View Ridge and West Seattle. Along with the fresh natural produce and gourmet health foods and products, PCC offers a community based member-owned organization. You can shop there without being a member, to join it costs $60 and you have some discounts as a result. There are also educational offerings, like the Gluten Free Living course and things like the Walk Talk Taste class or the PCC Cooks series on various cooking topics. There are even some great videos on their website such as Grilled Mushroom Salad With Sesame Vinegrette, Meet Our Producers–River Valley Organics, and Pearing Up Great Flavors for example.

The deli is famous for their exquisite salads, satisfying pizza and prepared foods, and fresh hot soup. Use the Nutrition Search feature on line to explore what the dishes are made of and what will best suit your criteria (if for example you are gluten free or avoid dairy products or meat it will tell you all you need to know) and there are recipes as well. There’s also a seasonal produce chart that tells you when each item, be it zchunni, cherries, or purple garlic, is in season locally. There’s an eating area in the Green Lake PCC although I would not go so far as to call it a cafe. A few high tables allow you to perch precariously in the middle of the bustling deli and consume your healthy and nutritious snacks. If you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere the cooking classrooms upstairs are also available to eat in unless there happens to be a class going on.

Online too are blogs like “Notes from the Cellar” and one called “Stirfry” that addresses this and that, from GMOs to the top ten receipes of the year. There are also HealthNotes and Nutrition information, and events, like the upcoming “Valentine’s Day Dash” on February 9th held at Green Lake, part of the Healthy Kids program. It’s a free non-competitive run and kids receive a gift for participating.